The chamber is not charging a fee for entering a float in this year’s parade that starts at 4:30 pm on Saturday, Dec. 12. Howe’s newest version of the chamber formed this time a year ago and are still in growth mode.
The parade route will not change from last year as the trip through downtown sparked an excitement from the community. Floats will line up at the Howe Middle School on Beatrice Street back to the Howe Community Library. The parade route will be from Beatrice Street to Duke Street and then left on Denny Street (Highway 5). From there, the route will take a right turn on Davis Street in front of FBC Howe and then left for a block on Hughes in order to go through the heart of Howe on Haning Street’s downtown district. With the route heading west on Haning Street, it will then take a left on King Street and then back to Howe Community Library.
The parade will be the final one of a day full of floats. Anna will begin their parade at noon followed by Van Alstyne’s 2 pm start. For businesses, it’s the perfect situation to be involved in three different communities by being in all three parades. Last year’s parade was chalked full of spectators but was not as heavy in participants that the chamber is seeking in 2015.
“With the turnout we have had throughout 2015 so far for our events, we are expecting similar results from the Christmas parade this year.” said Howe Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Cannaday. “From our experience, community involvement has been great this year, so we believe that we should have a large turnout come December.”
The businesses downtown will be open and available for shopping and dining. The chamber and Keep Howe Beautiful will be decorating Howe very soon with candy canes, lollipops just as a year ago. They are hoping that all high-traffic homes will participate in a decorating contest. More information on that to be released soon.